Wireless vs. wired LAN for libraries

[Don Hamilton]

I sent this a couple of days ago, and got no response at all. That would be
OK, but I can't even find my post in the archive, so I'm guessing my email
hiccupped.( either that or the web Gods were angry that I reported a y2k bug
with Swish-e and the web4lib archives).  Sorry if you've seen it before.

Back in December, the following question was asked. There were several
responses, all of which make for interesting reading. I have a slightly
broader question...

We are about to undergo a long overdue building renovation. Are there any
good discussion papers on the pros and cons of wired vs. wireless for
libraries? In particular, what are the current cost comparisons? I like the
idea of entirely wireless based on flexibility during inevitable shuffling
of workstations, and 'grow ability', but worry about the ability of radio
waves to traverse thick stacks of books (and stacks of thick students ;)).

What say you, oh wise and wondrous list?

Don Hamilton (mailto:dhamilto at mach2.wlu.ca)
Information Technology & Cybrarian by Osmosis
Wilfrid Laurier University Library
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
519-884-0710x3336
fax:519-884-8023

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Thomas Edelblute
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 1999 12:09 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] wireless within a building


We have a branch that recently spent a fortune digging up their concrete
floors to put in new cable.  They still have cabling needs that needs to
be installed.  Thus,  there is some preliminary discussion of using some
kind of wireless technology within the building.

Are there any libraries out there using wireless technologies to address
their cabling needs within a building.  Radio?  Infrared?  E.T.'s
telephone?

--
Thomas Edelblute
Anaheim Public Library